[2] It was nominated for its Neoclassical/Georgian Revival architecture by Orff & Guilbert and for its status as the oldest surviving public school building in Stillwater.

The flanking bays bear slabs inscribed with the building's name and construction date which, like the oriel, are framed with pilasters and topped with a semicircular pediment.

Moreover, the lack of windows on the front and rear façades intentionally provided three full walls within each classroom for blackboards.

The vacant building, remanded to city ownership, was threatened with demolition but historic preservation efforts culminating in a court ruling prevented that fate.

Local investors purchased it in 1980 and conducted a successful adaptive reuse project to convert Nelson School into a multi-unit residential building.